DAY 2 - Diaries

Nazli Akbar

The second day we all woke with a new hope that today we’ll see something new. We prepared ourselves and came out of the room happily. I enjoyed the workshop which was arranged by Maria (from Rozan) and I learnt many new things but I got bored because of sitting continuously. When I saw the workshop of Samar Minallah so I really enjoyed it and I was happy to know that someone is looking behind (after) the innocent people. I got trust that we are not alone and there are some people who can feel our pain. I was greatly moved by the talking of Tahira apa on the first day and in all my life I never felt as much happy as when I was watching the play. I thanked God that I was among such nice people. I enjoyed while I was in the park because it was my first time to be with school friends in a park. At night we all were talking about the play, its different characters and we were not feeling sleepy. I wanted to go to the theater again and to be there all the time. I closed my eyes with all the scenes of the play in my heart. I’ll never forget this day my whole life.

First Impressions - Volunteers

Meeha Irfan, Project Coordinator

I)

Maliha’s text to me (sans inappropriate greeting): There’s this girl from Stanford who has planned this thing for girls from Swat to come in to Islamabad. I’m fuzzy on the details but will tell you when I know more! There’s a meeting today at 4pm, can you come?

So, I read that text and got all excited and jumpy - I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember and wanted to do some more! At the time, that’s exactly what I thought this would be - a volunteer experience. Go there, help out, feel awesome, improve the CV.

I didn't make it to the first few but did get to the mandatory meeting. There were over twenty students attentively listening while Shiza and Maryam explained what it was we were going to be doing. In the course of our meetings and workshops the number went down to thirteeen absolutely hyper, eager, excited volunteers ready to take over the world! All the better to have a successful retreat with, my darling…

When I dove into this adventure I had no idea I would actually become a part of an organization that I could call my own. I ended up falling in love with our girls and the whole idea of Shajar-e-Ilm.

Many children wanting to be discovered await us and we shall find them!

II)

Waiting at the lobby of Chateau Royale among other volunteers, my heart was racing. Part of me was scared and part excited. I didn’t really know what to expect.
At nearly 3pm everything fell into place. There was quite a lot of worrying for nothing! We stood outside and greeted 26 gorgeous, ambitious, confident Swati girls. In one of our workshops preceding the actual project we were taught how to not be intimidating and to ‘hide the ego’. Well, at this point I wish I could pull out some form of ego from somewhere. These girls were more than we had mentally prepared ourselves for. They walked with such presence in a place where they were unknown, talked with such pride among men and women they were unaccustomed to and most of all, oozed bravery where there was fear.

Getting to Islamabad

Reshma Aziz

Our school timing was over and we were going home. I was in the gate of the school that suddenly a little student came to me and said that Miss Maryam is calling you. So I went to the office of Miss Maryam and she told me about your program. We were three friends there at the time and we were quite excited but was worried that would our parents give us permission. I came home, told my parents and they gave me permission. I can’t describe in words my happiness at the time.

Before joining you people, i was worried that how you people will be and how will I adjust with you people but I could hardly wait because this is our first journey with friends. When we arrived here we were very tired but when we met you people you refreshed us and we were happy. When we were celebrating 14th of August and the band was here with us, we enjoyed a lot. As we celebrated 14th of August here I could not even imagine celebrating it like this at my home.

*********************************************

Nazli Akbar

On 14th August when I was leaving home I was very happy but there was a kind of suspense. I was thinking that all the people will be new for me and I would not feel easy. But when I arrived at my school and met with my friends I forgot all the worries. In the coach we sang national songs and shouted with joy. But as Islamabad was coming near I was feeling that I’m going to some frightful place. When we arrived at Islamabad and all the volunteers welcomed us I thought myself a very big personality. I was not believing that someone will give us such respect. On the first day when we were having our lunch I was feeling so much shy, I was not looking up to the people. Then when the volunteers talked to us in such a friendly manner I was very happy. I liked all the volunteers but among them Myra is the best, especially her smile.

DAY 1 - Meeting the girls

Madeeha Ansari, Program Officer/Blog Admin

I love the way the girls speak.

There is a kind of refinement in it, a kind of wholesome dignity. "Thayrao", my mother would say with a touch of wistfulness. We live in brash, boisterous times.

It's not that they are all quiet, or do not have strong opinions. Each one is different and each is eager to be heard. Their clear-headed individuality was evident from the very first day, when given ten minutes to pen down their "Expectations from This Experience". If there was any confusion or vagueness about the purpose of the retreat, it was dispelled in the hour following the ice-breakers. As a volunteer my own expectations had been hazy at best; I wasn't sure whether to be ashamed or grateful for finally being handed a clue.

The Swat Valley Girls are here with a message to share. They value learning and know that Islamabad has much to offer, but not at the expense of an identity that they have struggled hard to preserve through the reign of the Taliban. It is one of progressive tolerance, that they extend to the jeans-clad urban-dwellers as well as the local maulvi near school. They are here to broaden their own minds as well as ours, so that we think twice before stereotyping the next gentleman sporting a beard.

"My father has a beard," said one. "Does that mean he's a Talib?"

Probably not, if he sent his 6th grader daughter to an alien place which was sure to provide a very different kind of exposure. I'm not sure if my parents had the strength to allow something like that before college - LUMUN doesn't count.

Shandana's voice rings with passion; Laila's is soft and lilting. Eman would like to meet a poet; another would like to learn calligraphy. Anila is generous enough to speak of personal suffering; Sundus has the most eloquent eyes.

It is going to be an honour to be part of the stories these girls will have to tell.

SVG Retreat 09 - Diaries

Madeeha Ansari

Among the first things handed out to everyone, volunteers and Khushaal schoolgirls alike, was stationery. We were meant to keep daily diaries to document our experience, so that it could be preserved. The following are some of the entries scribbled secretly during workshops or in the few spare hours between excitement and sleep.